Portrait(s) — Vichy Photography Rendezvous
The only photography festival in France dedicated to the portrait
About Portrait(s)
Portrait(s): When Vichy Becomes a Photography Laboratory
Since 2013, every summer, the city of Vichy transforms into a vast open-air photographic trail. Portrait(s), the photographic rendezvous of the City of Vichy, is the only festival in France exclusively dedicated to the art of the portrait. From June to early October, exhibitions take over the most emblematic locations of the spa town, blending exceptional architectural heritage with contemporary photographic creation.
The Grand Établissement Thermal, the Festival's Showcase
The centerpiece of the festival, the Grand Établissement Thermal, a majestic building inaugurated in 1903, hosts the main monographic exhibition each year. This listed building, a jewel of thermal architecture, offers a spectacular setting for major retrospectives dedicated to internationally renowned photographers. Among the artists who have exhibited there: Denis Rouvre, Sarah Moon, Liu Bolin, Nadav Kander, Isabel Muñoz, and for the 2026 edition, David LaChapelle.
An Exhibition Trail Throughout the City
Beyond the Grand Établissement Thermal, Portrait(s) spreads throughout the city:
- The Lac d'Allier esplanade: monumental outdoor photographic exhibitions, accessible to all
- The Parc des Sources: photographic installations in one of Vichy's most beautiful parks
- The Halle des Sources: indoor exhibitions in this heritage site
- The Vichy University Center: exhibitions and artist residencies
- The Station forecourt: a photographic entry point for visitors
Artist Residencies and Cultural Mediation
The festival is not limited to exhibitions. It develops an ambitious program of photographic residencies, inviting artists to create on-site, in connection with the territory and its inhabitants. The mediation programs — La Voix du Regard, Des Mots pour voir, Portrait(s) s'invite à l'école — demonstrate a strong commitment to transmitting and educating through images, reaching all audiences, from schoolchildren to enlightened amateurs.
Constantly Growing Attendance
Since its creation, Portrait(s) has experienced remarkable growth. With nearly 57,000 visitors in its best editions, the festival has established itself as a major cultural highlight of the summer season in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The free access to most outdoor exhibitions, combined with the quality of the invited artists and the beauty of the venues, explains its popular success.
2026: David LaChapelle and the Bicentennial of Photography
The 14th edition of Portrait(s), from June 19 to October 4, 2026, promises to be exceptional. The Grand Établissement Thermal will host a major retrospective of David LaChapelle, with over 100 works spanning four decades of creation. In parallel, the festival will celebrate the Bicentennial of Photography (2026-2027), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Musée Nicéphore Niépce, through an unprecedented exhibition on the Lac d'Allier esplanade.
Portrait(s) — edition 2026
14th Edition — Summer 2026: David LaChapelle and the Bicentennial of Photography
From June 19 to October 4, 2026, Portrait(s) returns for an exceptional edition. The Grand Établissement Thermal hosts a major retrospective of David LaChapelle, featuring over 100 works spanning four decades of creation — from his beginnings in fashion and pop culture to his most recent mythological and moral series. Emblematic pieces stand alongside never-before-seen works, offering a complete panorama of one of the most spectacular photographers of our time, whose visual language (saturation, staging, pop dramaturgy, biting humor, celebrity iconography) has become instantly recognizable.
The LaChapelle exhibition opens to the public on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Grand Établissement Thermal, followed by the opening of the outdoor exhibitions on Saturday, June 20, at 10:30 AM.
The Bicentennial of Photography on the Esplanade du Lac d'Allier
Echoing this exhibition, the festival celebrates the Bicentennial of Photography (2026-2027), in partnership with the Ministère de la Culture and the Musée Nicéphore Niépce de Chalon-sur-Saône. A unique exhibition, displayed outdoors on the Esplanade du Lac d'Allier, traces the major stages in the history of photography in France.
Artist Residencies 2026
- Laetitia Bica at CAVILAM – Alliance Française: a work focusing on performance and community
- Patrick Tourneboeuf: continuation of his photographic documentation of European spa towns inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, with a 2026 focus on Bath (United Kingdom)
Mediation Programs
- La Voix du Regard: Brigitte Patient guides visitors through Yohanne Lamoulère's Marseille series
- Des Mots pour voir (Fondation Neuflize OBC): focus on the work of Paul Graham
- Portrait(s) s'invite à l'école: photographic workshops with schoolchildren from Vichy and the surrounding area
- Studio Harcourt: professional portrait experience offered to visitors
Opening Hours
Exhibitions are open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM for the entire duration of the festival.
Programme Portrait(s) 2026
Main Monographic Exhibition
- David LaChapelle — retrospective of over 100 works (emblematic pieces + never-before-seen), at the Grand Établissement Thermal. Opening on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
Bicentennial of Photography Exhibition
- Outdoor exhibition on the Esplanade du Lac d'Allier, in partnership with the Ministère de la Culture and the Musée Nicéphore Niépce de Chalon-sur-Saône. Traces the major stages in the history of photography in France.
Artist Residencies
- Laetitia Bica — residency at CAVILAM – Alliance Française, work on performance and community
- Patrick Tourneboeuf — UNESCO spa towns, 2026 focus on Bath (United Kingdom)
Mediation Programs and Artistic Focuses
- La Voix du Regard (by Brigitte Patient) — focus on Yohanne Lamoulère's Marseille series
- Des Mots pour voir (Fondation Neuflize OBC) — focus on Paul Graham
- Portrait(s) s'invite à l'école — photographic workshops with schoolchildren
- Studio Harcourt — professional portrait experience offered to visitors
Exhibition Venues
- Grand Établissement Thermal (main exhibition, indoor)
- Esplanade du Lac d'Allier (Bicentennial, outdoor)
- Parc des Sources (outdoor)
- Halle des Sources (indoor)
- Pôle Universitaire de Vichy
- Parvis de la Gare
Opening Hours
Every day, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, from June 19 to October 4, 2026.
Highlights Portrait(s) 2026
- David LaChapelle: exceptional retrospective of over 100 works at the Grand Établissement Thermal — the photo event of summer 2026
- Bicentennial of Photography: national celebration in partnership with the Ministère de la Culture and the Musée Nicéphore Niépce
- 14th edition of the only French festival dedicated to photographic portraiture
- Residencies by Laetitia Bica (CAVILAM) and Patrick Tourneboeuf (UNESCO spa towns)
- Focus on Yohanne Lamoulère (Marseille series) and Paul Graham
- Studio Harcourt: professional portrait experience for visitors
- From June 19 to October 4, 2026, every day 10 AM-6 PM, most exhibitions with free access
Prices Portrait(s) 2026
Practical information — Portrait(s)
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Vichy is accessible via the A719 motorway (from the A71) from Paris (approx. 3h30) or Clermont-Ferrand (approx. 45 min). Parking available in the city center and near the exhibition venues.
By train: Vichy station is served by Intercités trains from Paris-Bercy (approx. 3h) and TER trains from Clermont-Ferrand (approx. 35 min), Lyon, and Moulins.
Exhibition Venues
The exhibitions are spread across several emblematic locations in Vichy: the Grand Établissement Thermal (1 avenue Eisenhower), the Parc des Sources, the Halle des Sources, the Lac d'Allier esplanade, the University Center, and the Station forecourt.
Prices
The majority of outdoor exhibitions are free to access. Access to exhibitions at the Grand Établissement Thermal may be subject to a modest entrance fee. Consult the official website for current prices.
Practical Tips
- Allow half a day to visit all the exhibitions
- The exhibition trail is family-friendly and accessible to people with reduced mobility
- Guided tours and mediation sessions are offered throughout the festival
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Where does it take place — Portrait(s)
Grand Établissement Thermal de Vichy
1 avenue du Général Dwight Eisenhower, 03200 Vichy